Harrison M300 Toolpost

[Rannsachair]

I have had some great advice on my new lathe thread, but am spending hours trying to decide on a quick change toolpost, so thought a separate post would help clear my mind.

I think I have narrowed down to:

1. A wedge type Chinese, I have a small version from Arc Eurotrade on my ML7 and have been really happy with it, think this size would be ok ?https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Cata...s/Tool-Posts/Model-222-Quick-Change-Tool-Post

2. A Bison Dickson T1X and RGD tool holders (the bison is quite pricey).

3. Is the Chronos Dickson replica any good - it is a T2 that I think can be made to fit? https://www.chronos.ltd.uk/product/new-t2-size-quick-change-toolpost-system-with-3-holders/

I think most of the other options are more than I want to spend at present. I do like the Arc wedge holder that I have on my Myford and they are relatively cheap. What do folk think? Or should I stick with my four way toolpost for now and save up for something better?

 

[addjunkie]

I have a Dickson t2 copy on my machine, not as good as the piston one on my last machine. Id go wedge If I were you.

 

[Hood]

If I am reading the Chronos one right it is for 12mm tools, if so then I would say no, quality 20mm tools can be had more easily.
The wedge is 16mm which is not as common for quality tools but still available.
Personally I would try and find a wedge style that takes 20mm tools, watch out though as some are just 3/4".

 

[northwest]

Or to really mess with your head:

Multifix Style 40 Position Quick Change Toolpost 120 - 220 Swing - Chronos Engineering Supplies

Multifix Style 40 Position Quick Change Toolpost 120 - 220 Swing from Chronos Engineering Supplies. Free UK delivery and great worldwide rates.

www.chronos.ltd.uk

 

[Rannsachair]

If I am reading the Chronos one right it is for 12mm tools, if so then I would say no, quality 20mm tools can be had more easily.
The wedge is 16mm which is not as common for quality tools but still available.
Personally I would try and find a wedge style that takes 20mm tools, watch out though as some are just 3/4".

I thought it was larger taking dimensions a-b on the tool holder gives 38.5-12 = 26.5mm gap for tool though the slot is only 16.5mm

 

[Rannsachair]

Or to really mess with your head:

Multifix Style 40 Position Quick Change Toolpost 120 - 220 Swing - Chronos Engineering Supplies

Multifix Style 40 Position Quick Change Toolpost 120 - 220 Swing from Chronos Engineering Supplies. Free UK delivery and great worldwide rates.

www.chronos.ltd.uk

Liked that, but could only see the one size priced on the website - too small.

 

[Kram]

Wedge although holders are still not as cheap on that size, amazon had them for £12. More holders for your ££ beats the better types. As above, the tools are not that much bigger but it wont stop you modifying or making your own - this might be the easiest type for it. I have a 32mm bar on a 250-100 size and Im thinking of welding another for 40mm.
Is the wedge 300 size too big?

Btw each size on the wedge is only about 2mm increase in clamping size, but where a 100 slot is 14mm tall, its only 11mm deep. Ive enlarged some up to 18mm.

 

[Hood]

I thought it was larger taking dimensions a-b on the tool holder gives 38.5-12 = 26.5mm gap for tool though the slot is only 16.5mm

Yes, looks like it, have just opened the image in a new tab and see now, when I was viewing the small image I was thinking b was the slot dimension.

 

[Rannsachair]

Wedge although holders are still not as cheap on that size, amazon had them for £12. More holders for your ££ beats the better types. As above, the tools are not that much bigger but it wont stop you modifying or making your own - this might be the easiest type for it. I have a 32mm bar on a 250-100 size and Im thinking of welding another for 40mm.
Is the wedge 300 size too big?

Btw each size on the wedge is only about 2mm increase in clamping size, but where a 100 slot is 14mm tall, its only 11mm deep. Ive enlarged some up to 18mm.

I was struggling to find a 300 or CXA in stock anywhere.

 

[northwest]

Liked that, but could only see the one size priced on the website - too small.

Chronos do sell the bigger size so it might be worth giving them a call to see if it is coming back in stock. They have always been really helpful with me in the past.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I was struggling to find a 300 or CXA in stock anywhere.

Ditto. Been looking for my triumph. No luck

 

[Hood]

There are a few CXA ones on eBay but all seem to be USA.
Incidentally that is where I got both of mine from many moons ago because they were almost impossible to get here at that time.

 

[Rannsachair]

Chronos do sell the bigger size so it might be worth giving them a call to see if it is coming back in stock. They have always been really helpful with me in the past.

I will message them tomorrow on the 200-400 version.

 

[indy4x]

I have the BXA wedge type post on my M300, standard holders do only take 16mm tooling but getting hold of them is easy, loads on eBay etc.

You can get oversized BXA holders that will take 20mm tooling if that where you want to go

 

[Rannsachair]

I have the BXA wedge type post on my M300, standard holders do only take 16mm tooling but getting hold of them is easy, loads on eBay etc.

You can get oversized BXA holders that will take 20mm tooling if that where you want to go

Is BXA the same as the 222 size from Arc?

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Yes. Cxa is a 333, axa is 111 (a 300 is a piston, 333 is a wedge from what I've seen)

 

[Kram]

To add, my 250-111 was from arc euro. *All* of their wedge posts have an excessive chamfer on the wedge, which I assumed was a defect, they confirnednits intended, but its a bit poo as it reduces the contact area a lot. I would avoid them.

Amazon can be good for posts and holders, a little bit risky buying expenaive non prime items, but they do have the CXA/333

CXA Wedge Tool Post 250-333 Quick Change Tool Holder 13-18" Swing Lathe : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Shop CXA Wedge Tool Post 250-333 Quick Change Tool Holder 13-18" Swing Lathe. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[dan.taylor.1]

To add, my 250-111 was from arc euro. *All* of their wedge posts have an excessive chamfer on the wedge, which I assumed was a defect, they confirnednits intended, but its a bit poo as it reduces the contact area a lot. I would avoid them.

Amazon can be good for posts and holders, a little bit risky buying expenaive non prime items, but they do have the CXA/333

CXA Wedge Tool Post 250-333 Quick Change Tool Holder 13-18" Swing Lathe : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Shop CXA Wedge Tool Post 250-333 Quick Change Tool Holder 13-18" Swing Lathe. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

Yeah I saw that one. The ebay USA one is cheaper and comes with Holders, but its coming from the US. I suppose pay with PayPal and should be protected

 

[indy4x]

I'd avoid the piston type, FIL has the 111 on his mini lathe and its not great

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I'd avoid the piston type, FIL has the 111 on his mini lathe and its not great

111 is wedge, 100 should be piston